I got my hair cut a couple weeks ago. Thank goodness my bangs didn’t turn out bluntly cut across my forehead. I went to a place downtown that one of my friends recommended. Since it’s ridiculously hot and humid in Daegu, I thought it’d be a good idea to straighten my hair before it gets really frizzy. This turned out to be the best decision of the summer!
When I told the stylist that I wanted to straighten my hair, she was like, “Have you ever experienced Magic Straight?”. All I needed to hear was the word “magic” and I was in. I’ve gotten my hair straightened before, but never by magic!
Here’s some info I found online about the magic straight procedure in the US.
My natural hair
My hair in the summer
It could be worse. My hair got really dry and frizzy from the humidity.
My hair after Magic Straight
Magic Straight – How its done
- Shampoo and rinse unwashed hair. First, she cut my hair since I wanted it shorter. You don’t need to get a hair cut before you do the magic perm, but if you’re getting your hair cut anyway you can just do it all in one go.
- Brush in the straightening product. It’s almost like getting your hair colored. The stylist brushes the product on in sections and makes sure every strand is coated.
- Wrap hair in plastic. They put on a plastic shower cap over my hair.
- Apply heat. They placed a revolving heat disc machine behind me and it orbited around my head. I hardly felt the heat so I wondered if it was working. This probably lasted about 30 minutes, I’m not sure.
- Rinse out product.
- Blowdry hair. Two stylists blowdried my hair at the same time.
- Straighten hair with flat irons. This is the second part of the magic straight – shaping the strands straight. After the straightening product is applied and rinsed out, hair can be molded into shape. Two stylists used skinny flat irons and straightened my hair in one inch sections. Pretty time consuming procedure. They had to exaggerate the shape and curled my hair at the bottom so the ends wouldn’t just be stick straight. When she curled my bangs I freaked out and she reassured me that it wouldn’t turn out like that in the end.
- Wait for hair to set.
- Apply deep conditioning product. This step is optional but I wanted to get it done since my hair was feeling dry and damaged from the crappy hair dryer I’ve been using. After applying the product, they put sections of my hair in rollers to maintain the shape.
- Wash hair.
- Blow dry and style.
- Voila, straight and silky hair!
How long does it take?
The hair cut, magic straight and deep conditioning took about 2 hours or a little more. I was surprised by the stylist’s speed. She must have a lot of experience with magic straightening.
How long does it last?
Most people say that hair should stay straight for 4-6 months. It really depends on how wavy or curly a person’s hair is and how well it handles chemical products. I think my hair stayed fairly straight for about the same amount of time, if not longer. Of course only the part of my hair that was straightened, not the part that grew out after.
- Important tip: If the stylist forgets to tell you (or if you forget to ask), remember not to wash or shampoo your hair for at least 24 hours. The hair hasn’t completely set yet and it’s best to try to leave it as it is, like don’t put it in a pony tail either.
How much does it cost?
In Korea, it costs around 100,000-130,000 won, which is about $84-$110. It’s significantly cheaper than the price in the US for magic straight or the other kind of straightening. The price depends on where you get it done. I got my hair straightened in a salon downtown, which is more expensive than more local places. But the salon I went to has a stylist my friend recommended and she speaks English pretty well. She’s also really nice :). She will give you a discount if you pay in cash. I think many places in Korea offer a cheaper price if you pay with cash instead of card. Stop by the bank before you head to the salon.
Where can I get it done?
Most salons in Korea should have a stylist that knows how to do this procedure. Magic straight is pretty popular, as are perms and dyeing hair. I think it’d be best to go to a salon someone can recommend, like a friend or teacher at school. Also, it’d be good to find a stylist you can communicate with if you don’t speak much Korean.
Does it work on all kinds of hair?
I’m not quite sure. Everyone’s hair is different and some hair responds better to chemicals than others. If you have really thin or damaged hair, the chemicals might be too strong and further damage your hair. If you have very thick or curly hair, it might not be as effective or it might not stay straight as long as 4-6 months. I don’t know how well magic straight would work for black hair so I would recommend going to a salon and asking a stylist. They might not have much experience with black hair, though. And if you already have chemically treated hair, you should ask the stylist if you can get it chemically straightened.
How do I style my hair after magic straight?
I love having my hair straight. But I hate the effort it takes to get it straight. Magic straight made my hair super straight. It’s also soft and shiny, which could be due in part to the deep conditioning treatment. Styling my hair in the morning is much easier. I only have to blow dry it and run my hands through and use a brush for minimal styling around my bangs. Takes about 5 minutes. I don’t have to use straightening products or even anti-frizz serum, glossers, balms, etc.
UPDATE:
It’s been almost 5 months and my hair is still shiny and straight. I only have to use straightening products along my hairline since it’s grown out the last few months. I think using good, salon-quality shampoo and conditioner has helped maintain the shine. I think my hair has stayed straight because I have fine hair and it wasn’t too wavy to begin with. How is your hair holding up?
Maguc straight–really good to know Malou! I occasionally need a straightening cause my hair can frizz during the summer and the balm I brought will run out! Thanks for this information.
Would you be able to tell me where you got it done in Korea? I’m not too far from the Daegu area, and have been looking for a place to get it done. Thanks!
Did you go to a chain store? I’m also looking for a place to get my hair done but am closer to Seoul.
I went to a salon called Serrano, which isn’t a chain salon. I don’t think it is. You can ask a co-worker or friend which salon they usually go to and if they have the magic straight available there. Good luck!
Okay, I”m back again… but this time I’m shopping to actually do it. My hair is getting too long. One of my co-teacher’s said I should get a magic volume (a little curl at the end).
I know there’s tons of places in Banwoldang. Was your place, Serrano, easy to find? Did you have to make an appt?
Serrano is easy to find. Facing the stage in front of McDonalds, turn left and go down that street for 3-4 blocks. After you see the GS 25, Serrano is on the second floor on your right. No appointment necessary. You can ask for Ji Won she’s nice :). Good luck!
THanks! Now to either take the time or brave this cold.
[…] salon in Banwoldang, asked for Ji Won (a stylist recommended by San Diego to Daegu‘s Malou (who writes about her experience here), cracked open a magazine and pointed at the first hair style […]
I had magic straight done over a year ago, and it took about 7 hours (cause my hair is SUPER curly, and very long…she had to do the whole procedure twice), and it was only about 60,000 won. I lived in Ulsan and had to do some walking around, but the small mom and pop shops are definitely cheaper, and my hair was so super curly, and its stayed straight after all this time…although, now i’m back in the states and trying to find a korean hair salon that knows how to do it. my hair has grown out so much that half my hair is straight, and the other half, curly-q curly. i think they quoted me 200 bucks here in the states. but yes, its still as shiny and soft and healthy-looking now as it was when i got it done over a year ago. and am now addicted to magic straight. you can actually go into any salon on the street and if you twist your tongue to say “magic suh tl lait tuh” they’ll understand you and use hand motions to take your money and sit you down. the woman i had didnt speak a lick of english and i spoke very little korean, but we were somehow able to communicate during those 7 hours. i’d recommend this procedure over any other straightening…and ive seen a few.
Wow – thanks so much for sharing your experience and advice! It’s definitely beyond my budget to get it done back in the states. I think there are quite a few Korean salons in California and in Seattle. Hopefully you can find a good place to get it done back home!
Hi I’m a Californian high schooler and just got my third magic straight perm done two days ago! My hair is shiny, incredibly soft and silky! I’m Korean so I have naturally pretty straight hair already but it was a bit wavy from previous heat damage and whatnot. My last two magic straight perms worked for a day or two…. Until I took a shower. I think the straightness was undone due to washing my hair too soon after the procedure. So hopefully by now, I’ll have learned my lesson and wait one more day before I dare step into the shower. I’m on my second day not washing my hair and miraculously my hair isn’t greasy! Perhaps another benefit from the magic straight….?
I hope my hair will retain its newfound silkiness even after I shower later on!!
Thanks for telling us about your magic straight experience! Did you get it done in the US? I also hope your perm lasts this time around. Good luck :D!
HELLO. I AM A BLACK AME RI CAN WHO LI VE S IN KOREA. MY HAIR WAS A HUGE THICK AFRO WHE N I FI RST ARRI VE D. ONE OF THE KOREAN SISTE RS AT THE CHURCH (IM A MI SSIONARY), OWNS A SALON AND SHE DID THE MAGI C STRAIGHT IN MY HAIR AND IT TURNED OUT GRE AT. MY HAIR IS MORE STRAIGHT AND SHINY THAN WHE N I US E TO GE T RE LAXERS AND MY HAIR IS MORE HEALTHY. IT LAS TS A LONG TIME TOO
Thanks for sharing your experience with magic straight! I’m glad it worked well for you too! A lot of people wonder how it works on different types of hair so your input is really helpful.
can you please provide information about the salon you went to. I too have the puff. I would like to find someone who has managed Black hair before.
Hey! I just got my hair done with the magic straight in San Diego omg! When I say I am in love I mean it!!! It’s amazing I got it done July 27,2014 and I love it! Except I paid $200 For mine! And it took 5 hours!!! Well worth the time and money though!! I love it! I have very curly hair and was shocked at how well my hair accepted the chemicals!!